Decrescendo

/ˌdiːkɹɪˈʃɛndəʊ/ adj, noun, verb

adj, noun, verb ·Moderate ·High school level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    An instruction to play gradually more softly.
  2. 2
    (music) a gradual decrease in loudness wordnet
  3. 3
    A gradual decrease in volume or loudness of a piece of music.

    "The peace was ended by the sound of an approaching train, the steady exhaust beat that has its own appeal, and amid a cloud of steam a rebuilt "Scot" burst from under the bridge at the south end of the station, and roared past at high speed. A long line of lighted windows flashed past, and then, in decrescendo, the sound and fury passed northwards."

Verb
  1. 1
    To gradually become quieter
  2. 2
    grow quieter wordnet
Adjective
  1. 1
    becoming quieter gradually.
Adjective
  1. 1
    (music) gradually decreasing in volume wordnet

Example

More examples

"The peace was ended by the sound of an approaching train, the steady exhaust beat that has its own appeal, and amid a cloud of steam a rebuilt "Scot" burst from under the bridge at the south end of the station, and roared past at high speed. A long line of lighted windows flashed past, and then, in decrescendo, the sound and fury passed northwards."

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian decrescendo.

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